Thanks for help with trip to Alaska
 

Just returned from two weeks in Alaska and want to thank all of you who helped with our planning. Covered 1,500 miles, which was a bit much, and would drive less next time now that we know the areas we especially liked.<BR><BR>A quick run down to perhaps help someone else.<BR><BR>Two nights in Girdwood. Thanks to the people who suggested 7 mile Winner Creek Trail with the hand drawn tram.<BR><BR>Two nights 5 miles east of Homer. Yes, Bishop's Beach was fun at low tide. Not enough time to go to Katchamak State Park.<BR><BR>Three nights 7 miles north of Seward. Nice 4 mile RT hike to Tonsina Beach. Kenai Fjords Cruise interesting with lots of animals/birds. Liked Sea Life Center especially for the research being done.<BR><BR>Three wonderful nights in Thompson Pass with great hiking in pass.<BR><BR>One night along Glenn Highway.<BR><BR>Three great nights 20 miles north of Willow and south of Talkeetna. From some of your comments, we wondered if this location was a mistake, but the B&B and hosts were super and it provided a convenient distance from Hatcher Pass, Denali State Park (great hiking in both places) and brief visit to the shops of Talkeetna.<BR><BR>All the places we stayed were very nice, clean and in good locations out of town.<BR><BR>Thanks again for answering my many questions about this great state.<BR><BR>

Clousie-<BR><BR>We did the low tide hike to Coal Point from Bishop's Beach also back on June 25 (a -4 tide) and it was amazing. The hike was pretty long, but the odd creatures found in the tide pools made it well worth it.<BR><BR>The diving Puffins at the Sealife Center were also entertaining.<BR><BR>We were going to try and find the trail with the pull cart, but didn't end up having enough time there. Where exactly was it located? (for next time!)<BR><BR>The best trails we did were the Bishop's Beach hike and the Russian River Trail (which we did up to the falls at midnight since it was still light and few others were on the trail at that time).

Mike,<BR><BR>The pull tram is on the Winner Creek Trail that starts out right behind the Alyeska Hotel in Girdwood. You head left under the ski cable car and it's about 2.5 miles one way to the gorge. I don't do well on swinging bridges over gorges, but this was great fun.

Thanks for the info! Hopefully I'll get a chance to use it at some point!

Where did you spend one night along Glenn Highway? Was it nice place? did you cook your meal? Is there washer/dryer?<BR>We are looking for a place somewhere along this Highway

<BR>Mona,<BR><BR>We stayed at Tundra Rose on the Glenn Highway. It was a very nice B&B overlooking the Mantanuska Glacier. The continental breakfast: muffins, cereal, fruit, yogurt, juice, pastry was in our room along with a microwave, fridge, coffee pot. No washer or dryer. We didn't cook or eat at the attached restaurant run by the owner of the B&B since we'd had a very large lunch in Copper River. Room and large bath were very clean. Good place to stop if you need an overnight stay on the Glenn.

Topping for Ohiomoxie.

If you scroll through the Alaska topics, you'll find lots of trip reports that may help with your planning.

ttt for Pat2003

Clousie, please provide more information about the place north of Willow. Maybe at least the name of it so i could google and find out more. Would like to stay there on our next trip. Thanks

Pat,

Fortunately, I just read this thread by accident. I thought I'd like to read another Alaska trip report, not realizing it was mine...

We stayed at Gigglewood B&amp;B, and as I said, liked it very much. It's a bit off the main road, so if you want to be able to walk to shops/restaurants, it's not the place for you. However, if you prefer a secluded spot on a beautiful lake and enjoy talking to long time Alaskan residents, it's a wonderful place.

Linda and Larry thoroughly entertained us with their narratives about their life and work in native Alaskan villages and were wonderful hosts. She even made a special birthday breakfast for my husband. Larry led us on a hike through the woods to see some signets on another lake.

We stayed in the Woodland suite which provided CLEAN, comfortable accommodations, including a full kitchen, which we didn't use. I believe when we were there, the Lakeside Cottage was their house.

Come back if you have more questions.

http://www.gigglewood.com/

Thank you Clousie. Now we need to decide whether we should stay in Willow or Talkeetna. We won't be going to Denali National Park but would like to visit Denali State Park. What would you chose? Talkeetna or Willow?

As I mentioned, it really depends on what you like. We loved the setting of Gigglewood, and a few hours visiting Talkeetna was more than enough for us.

We spent a full day hiking in Denali State Park and stopped off at one of the Princess hotels for dinner (actually pub grub as we sat on the deck and watched Mckinley peak through the clouds) before heading back.

Another night, following the rainy day we visited Talkeetna, we had a special birthday dinner at Talkeetna Lodge.

All of the places we stayed on our trip were a bit out of the way places, and many were like nice cabins or small houses and had cooking facilities.

Clousie-

Where did you hike in Denali State Park?

Stillhouse~

We hiked the Little Coal Creek Trail in Denali State Park. There are several trails that go from the road up to the trail that runs along the top of the mountain (Ridge Trail??) Our hike was about 6 miles round trip and gained approx 2,000' to an elevation of 3,100' We didn't actually make it all the way to Ridge Trail because it became quite rocky, but stopped for lunch at a spot with a view of the Alaska Range, and ideally Mt McKinley. Good trail.

Thank you Clousie, we need to decide where to stay and what area to chose for hiking. It is never easy, there are so many places to visit in Alaska. What was your absolutely favorite hike in Alaska? Hiking is our focus on every trip in Alaska.

Pat

All of our vacation trips focus on hiking, too, however, we ran into a few problems in Alaska. One trail was so overgrown with Devil's Club that we had to turn back. We went quite a distance on the trail by Craigie Creek near Hatcher Pass, but turned back when a wicked thunderstorm came up and again didn't reach our destination.

However, we absolutley LOVED roaming the wildflower filled tundra at Thompson Pass on the side across from Worthington Glacier. You can go for miles, and it's just beautiful. Hardly saw a soul except for the few people you got out of their cars to take a quick picture and perhaps walk a few hundred feet.

We stayed at a secluded cabin just below the pass owned by a guy who leads backcountry hiking and ski trips. A great alternative to Valdez. I'd return in a minute!

Please share your favorite hikes and places to stay, too. We've only had one trip to Alaska, but would like to return sometime .

Pat2003

Did you decide where to stay and hike?

Still wondering about your favorite hikes there.

Clousie, we were in Alaska last summer, and I sure wish we would have had your information on the secluded cabin outside of Valdez with the backcountry expert. Would you please share that information with me so I'll have it for our next trip to Alaska (not this year, but next). Thank you for your help!

Clousie, we did not decide yet where to stay on this trip. I am checking air fares daily and waiting for some miracle. They seems so high for 2006.

We always return to Homer. Our favorite hikes are around Valdez. When I reread your post I think we stayed at the same place in Thompson Pass. Did you stay with Matt? www.alaskagold.com/tpass/scenic.htm
We stayd with him for the first time when he opened his chalet for business.

Yes, Pat, we did stay with Matt, and just loved it. Sitting on the deck in the evening with a glass of wine or early morning with a cup of coffee was just grand. Although I don't remember their name, we spent lots of time listening to and viewing some bright yellow birds as they swooped in and out of the trees.

BAYOU GAL: Pat included the website above for this cabin. If you like seclusion in a beautiful spot and aren't expecting a posh cabin, this is a great place. The spiral staircase to the upsairs bedroom is quite narrow, but that just added to the unique charm of the place. If and when we return to Alaska, we would certainly plan a stay here again.